Steve Hudgik's Internet Marketing Blog - Internet Resultshttp://internetresults.blogspot.com/Online marketing tutorials, tips, ideas and suggestions to help your internet marketing be successful. Learn from a ten year veteran of internet marketing, book author and successful entrepreneur. Covers SEO, SEM, PPC, PFI, marketing optimization and even technical topics that impact marketing and sales.ennoreply@blogger.com (SteveH)Fri, 08 May 2015 20:51:24 PDTBlogger http://www.blogger.com108125This is an XML content feed. It is intended to be viewed in a newsreader or syndicated to another site.One Link Did Ithttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/marketing/~3/kttMP9jn0Co/one-link-did-it.htmlgooglelinkingnoreply@blogger.com (SteveH)Sat, 10 Dec 2011 07:49:39 PSTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10442471.post-3028469819567778392There was a comment on the previous posting asking, "What happened?" I apologize for not following up and posting the final results. (We're overloaded with work, as usual.)<br /><br />To summarize. I brought a web site online but had no links going to it. I left it that way for several months. Google did not find it.<br /><br />I placed one link in a post on this blog. Google almost immediately "found" the web site and placed it in the SERPs. I used a search for the web site name "Be Big On The Web" to determine if Google had found the site. The ranking of the link to the site home page bounced around for about two months, sometimes even disappearing. But by the end of April it was consistently ranking at #2, just under <span class="st"><em></em>an MSN Lifestyle show called "Big On The Web." I have not made any changes to the web site, nor added any links since then, and it is maintaining its number two ranking for this highly targeted phrase.<br /><br />The interior pages of the site are included in Google's index.<br /><br />The site took about three months to show up in Bing. That could be an indication that since Google owns Blogger they directly feed information from Blogger to their search spider. But Bing finds links from this -- very inactive -- blog based on a normal spidering cycle. My conclusion is that, if you want Google to find a page, put a link to it in a Blogger blog.<br /></span>0http://internetresults.blogspot.com/2011/12/one-link-did-it.htmlMoving Up In Google's Search Resultshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/marketing/~3/BPieIwys7ZE/moving-up-in-googles-search-results.htmllinkingSEOnoreply@blogger.com (SteveH)Fri, 11 Mar 2011 19:02:12 PSTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10442471.post-7335935085651484971We're running a test to watch what Google does with a new web site once a link has been posted on Blogger (see the previous two posts).<br /><br />It is now 38 hours since the first link was posted in this blog. In a search for the name of the web site (I'm not going to mention it this time), Google now has it ranked at #9. So we're seeing the site appear, disappear, and now reappear in the search results.<br /><br />What I've concluded based on previous testing is that Google will quickly put a new page of site into the search results. But, it will move the link around. I believe Google is testing to see if there is any interest (clicks) in the new page or web site. For now I'm not going to click on the link. Let's just wait and see what happens.<br /><br />The site has not reappeared in Bing.1http://internetresults.blogspot.com/2011/03/moving-up-in-googles-search-results.htmlHelping Google Find Your Web Site - The Resultshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/marketing/~3/-TfYj89E9II/helping-google-find-your-web-site.htmlBinggooglelink strategylinkingSEOnoreply@blogger.com (SteveH)Fri, 11 Mar 2011 10:04:13 PSTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10442471.post-3196800764942782540Yesterday I posted about a new web site we're doing some testing with. This web site had been online for several months, with no links going to it. Google did not find it. Why might Google find it? One possibility arises from Google being a domain registrar. This gives them access to the domain registration database they could use to discover new domains.<br /><br />Yesterday we added a single link to the web site, coming from yesterday's blog post. Here are the results of a search for the web site's name, <a href="http://www.bebigontheweb.com/">Be Big On The Web</a>:<br /><br />Six hours after the link was added to the blog, the web site appeared at the number three position. It had the page title, but there was no description.<br /><br />Twelve hours after the link was added the description appeared and the web site was in the number six position.<br /><br />24 hours after the link was added the site no longer appeared in the Google search results, but a search for the domain showed that it was in Google's index.<br /><br />We're now at the 30 hour point and I've included a link in this post. So we'll have two links from the same blog. Let's see what happens.<br /><br />By the way, Bing has also picked up this web site. It is in the Bing index but not showing in a search.0http://internetresults.blogspot.com/2011/03/helping-google-find-your-web-site.htmlNew Web Marketing Services Web Sitehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/marketing/~3/WqnoeYt-nx0/new-web-marketing-services-web-site.htmllinkingSEOWeb Marketingnoreply@blogger.com (SteveH)Thu, 10 Mar 2011 04:10:48 PSTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10442471.post-3446834644843015769Whew! We've been busy... as you can tell from the dates on the posts in this blog. But I've come back to the blog with a purpose.<br /><br />Here is a question? You've got a new web site. How do you get Google to notice your web site and begin including it in the Google search results? What you need are web sites that link to your new web site. Google will notice the links on the existing web sites (assuming they are already included in the Google index), follow them and "discover" your web site.<br /><br />So how do you get links to your web site. It's brand new. No one knows about it. Maybe no one is even interested in your web site. What do you do?<br /><br />If you want to <a href="http://www.bebigontheweb.com/">Be Big On The Web</a> you've got to take things into your own hands. You've got to create the link(s) yourself, just like I did now.<br /><br />Actually this is an experiment. I've had the Be Big On The Web site online for about three months, just to see what happens. There are no links going to it. And it is not in Google's index. This was a test to see if Google uses information such as the domain registration to identify new web sites.<br /><br />Now I've put in a single link (above) using a Blogger hosted blog. Blogger is owned by Google. Will Google find it and begin indexing the web site? If so, how long will it take? Let's find out.0http://internetresults.blogspot.com/2011/03/new-web-marketing-services-web-site.htmlIs OOPS A Good Product Name?http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/marketing/~3/IKRK_YCfxYA/is-oops-good-product-name.htmlproduct managementproduct namingnoreply@blogger.com (SteveH)Thu, 10 Mar 2011 04:22:00 PSTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10442471.post-1698101972126284563This is a tough one. The acronym for Open Office Productivity Suite is OOPS. Would you want your product called OOPS?<br /><br />What do you do when you need to deal with negative, unintended consequences? One approach is to embrace it and make it a part of your marketing. Here's a thought for what can be done with the Open Office Productivity Suite.<br /><br />=========================<br /><br />Are you using the big name office suite? Oops!<br /><br />Are you having a problem with your word processing software doing things you don't want it to do? Oops!<br /><br />Are you spending a lot of money providing an office suite for your employees? Oops!<br /><br />That's right! OOPS is the answer. The Open Office Productivity Suite (OOPS) is the office suite solution you are looking for. You don't need to pay the heavy cost of the big name office suite and you'll have software you control instead of software that thinks it knows more than you do. Visit www.OpenOffice.org and get your free copy of the Open Office Productivity Suite today. OOPS will finally put a smile on your face.<br /><br />====================0http://internetresults.blogspot.com/2010/09/is-oops-good-product-name.htmlA Good Product Name... OOPShttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/marketing/~3/dZWRj5kWxvk/good-product-name-oops.htmlproduct managementproduct namingnoreply@blogger.com (SteveH)Tue, 24 Aug 2010 19:32:31 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10442471.post-5213582391481419580One of my favorite programs is Open Office... although I was just at their web site and I read that we are not supposed to call it that. It is now to be known as the Open Office Productivity Suite which is made by OpenOffice.org.<br /><br />That's a good name. It describes what the software is and does. But finding the perfect name... the name without blemishes, is the goal of marketing. And OpenOffice.org may have missed that mark. As much as I love the Open Office Productivity Suite, and recommend it to everyone, I still have to point out that the acronym for this name is... OOPS.<br /><br />When it was known as just Open Office it was just OO. But now it is OOPS. Is that an oops?<br /><br />Product naming is one of the most difficult aspects of marketing. Getting the right name never is never easy, and you can get blindsided by the unexpected... such as an acronym or the meaning of the name in another language.<br /><br />So, is there a way to make lemonade from this lemon?<br /><br />Of course there is. Changing the name at this point may not be an option. So the first step is to embrace what appears to be a negative and turn it into a positive. I'll talk about that in my next post.2http://internetresults.blogspot.com/2010/08/good-product-name-oops.htmlFacebook, Twitter, and YouTube, Oh My!http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/marketing/~3/dB75QWDU0qc/facebook-twitter-and-youtube-oh-my.htmlfacebookInternet Marketingtwitternoreply@blogger.com (SteveH)Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:34:22 PSTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10442471.post-5909205880733807821Social media has made it big in the news, and the news is that you can use social media like Facebook and Twitter to built you business and bring in sales. Several time a week I have people asking me to make a Facebook post and bring the business pouring it.<br /><br />It doesn't quite work like that and I'm finding few people are willing to put in the time required to make it work.<br /><br />Facebook and Twitter are not marketing silver bullets. They don't magically bring in more business. But, when used with an understanding of how they work, they can make a big difference.<br /><br />To be effective you must participate. With Facebook you must build your network of friends. With Twitter it is a network of followers. These are people who are listening to what you say. Of course, if you are not saying anything, then no one is going to bother to listen. So building your network requires participating with others, and saying interesting things in your posts... and here's the most important thing: you must say something. Opening a Facebook account and then sitting back waiting for something to happen does not work.<br /><br />That's what I see people doing. Make two or three posts on Facebook, or in a bog, and expect something to happen. It's not going to happen. That's right. Success takes work, even when you are building your success with the latest tools on the internet. There still is no free ride.16http://internetresults.blogspot.com/2009/11/facebook-twitter-and-youtube-oh-my.htmlUsing YouTube For Marketinghttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/marketing/~3/YhrLVx5T68Y/using-youtube-for-marketing.htmlsocial marketingvideo marketingYouTubenoreply@blogger.com (SteveH)Thu, 10 Sep 2009 07:14:54 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10442471.post-3754275687517343541You've come up with a better product, lower price, or improved service... but how do you tell the world? If only people could find out about your product, they'd be pounding on your door to buy it. That's the purpose of marking. It doesn't matter how good your product is, if no one knows about it, your sales will be zero.<br /><br />YouTube is one way to let potential customers know about your products. BUT, you need to do it in a creative and interesting way. Otherwise your video will be lost among the ten's of thousands of other videos. We've all heard about the "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qg1ckCkm8YI">Will It Blend</a>" videos. They are simple videos that have attracted a lot of attention. Simple ideas are best because they clearly communicate your point. However, coming up with those simple ideas can seem like an impossible task.<br /><br />What is the basic principle behind making an attention grabbing video?<br /><br />Here is a new video for a product that can be tough to market, vinyl industrial labeling tape. The point of the video is cutting costs... an important point to make in these tough economic times (or at any time).<br /><br />The video is about the Brady GlobalMark printer. It takes the unusual approach of making the point that cutting your printer in half is not the way to cut your labeling costs. Does that catch your interest?<br /><br /><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CaNMGQpWq-s&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;rel=0&amp;border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/CaNMGQpWq-s&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;rel=0&amp;border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object><br /><br />The way to make your video interesting is to do the unexpected. The petite young lady in this video seems like the last person you'd expect to keep a shiny double-headed ax at her desk, ready to slice an industrial printer in half.<br /><br />Do the unexpected and you'll be on your way to having a YouTube video that attracts attention.7http://internetresults.blogspot.com/2009/09/using-youtube-for-marketing.htmlGranite Tile Counters - Blogginghttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/marketing/~3/odWXtb4zKAc/granite-tile-counters-blogging.htmlbloggingeasy granite tilegooglegranite tilekitchen countersnoreply@blogger.com (SteveH)Sun, 17 May 2009 07:35:44 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10442471.post-7853200112230799321When you have a blog that you are using to help bring traffic to your web site, it is critically important that you make regular posts. A minimum of two posts per week is what I recommend, but that is the minimum. If you want to have people returning to your web site to read your blog, you need to be providing new, informative blog posts. Plus Google loves new, fresh content.<br /><br />The problem is that writing is hard work. It takes time and a lot of thought to write a good blog post. But if you take the time and put in the effort, it will be worth it.<br /><br />So what's happening on the <a href="http://www.easygranitetile.com/index.htm">granite tile web site</a>?<br /><br />Orders are coming in and customers are writing back saying how happy they are with their new granite tile counters. The product is outstanding and people really like it. The shipping process is working... which was a big concern because granite tile easily breaks during shipping. Plus the web site has been updated to incorporate various shipping methods in the online granite tile calculator, with the result being that they can charge as little as $49.95 to ship the tile almost anywhere in the U.S. (This may only be good for a limited time, but it makes for incredible savings and a great value for the customer).<br /><br />So they have everything needed for a great foundation: an outstanding product (with satisfied customers), great delivery, and outstanding value. What else is needed?<br /><br />For people to know about this. No matter how good your product and the value you offer, if no one hears about it your business will go out of business. That's where regular blogging becomes part of the plan. Provide useful information, about your products or related to your products, making at least two posts per week, will help to bring people back to your web site and build you rankings in Google.<br /><br />Related Previous Posts<br /><a href="http://internetresults.blogspot.com/2009/02/granite-tile-blog.html">Granite Tile Blog</a><br /><a href="http://internetresults.blogspot.com/2009/02/granite-tile-web-site.html">Granite Tile Web Site </a><br /><a href="http://internetresults.blogspot.com/2009/01/granite-tile-counters-for-kitchens-and.html">GraniteTile Counters for Kitchens and Bath</a>11http://internetresults.blogspot.com/2009/05/granite-tile-counters-blogging.htmlRejecting Blog Commentshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/marketing/~3/5HkzPDdvLKM/rejecting-blog-comments.htmlbloggingcomment spamnoreply@blogger.com (SteveH)Tue, 24 Mar 2009 18:21:56 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10442471.post-933412365961188158People leave a lot of comments on this blog, and we reject just about all of them. If you have something to say about any of our posts, or even about internet marketing in general. Your comments are welcome and will be posted. <br /><br />I'd like to give you an example of a comment posted today, that is one to watch out for. Here is what it said:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I recently came accross your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I dont know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Alanna</span><br /><br />It was followed by a link to a web site. It sounds like a nice comment from a nice person who really liked the blog. But, do a search for a phrase from this comment and Google will show you that the exact same comment is being left on blogs across the internet. It is nothing more than a technique for getting around comment moderation and adding their link to your blog... even though Blogger marks all comment links as no-follow, meaning they have little SEO value.<br /><br />There are many varieties of this type of comment spam, but they are all similar. Usually a nice but generic comment from a nice sounding person, with a web site link included.5http://internetresults.blogspot.com/2009/03/rejecting-blog-comments.htmlGranite Tile Bloghttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/marketing/~3/3urXtmQGtRA/granite-tile-blog.htmlbathroom countersgranite tilekitchen countersnoreply@blogger.com (SteveH)Tue, 24 Mar 2009 18:22:40 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10442471.post-7677005157415539454It's been a couple of weeks and it is time for the next step. Adding a blog to the web site. In this case we'll be using Blogger because of its simple user interface that makes it easy for a non-technical person to write posts.<br /><br />Use this link to go to the <a href="http://www.easygranitetile.com/tile-articles/">Granite Tile Blog</a>.<br /><br />Posts to a blog actually started about two weeks ago. For a blog to be recognized as legitimate, it needs to have a minimum of at least five to eight posts. By getting a head start the blog is ready to go when it is added to the web site.<br /><br />A custom template is used so that the Granite Tile Blog has the same look and navigation as the rest of the web site.<br /><br />Content for the blog comes from questions about granite tile that people have already started to ask. An email response is sent to the person asking a question, and that response servers as the basis for a blog post. That saves time and it results in posts that are about granite related topics people want to know about.0http://internetresults.blogspot.com/2009/02/granite-tile-blog.htmlGranite Tile Press Releasehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/marketing/~3/3ycHrstBJwY/granite-tile-press-release.htmlgranite tilehome improvementpress releasesnoreply@blogger.com (SteveH)Sat, 07 Feb 2009 20:38:44 PSTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10442471.post-6545885030562123453I don't know if you've noticed, but the ads at the top of this page are now about granite tile. Google has determined that this blog, although it is about marketing, is more about granite tile.<br /><br />The next step was completed today. Press releases are powerful tools for building a new business on the internet. Today we came our with the first press release for the Easy Granite Tile web site. It announces that the new web site is now available, and for the first time in history <a href="http://www.easygranitetile.com/press/index.html">do-it-yourself installation of granite tile counter tops is easy</a>. (This is the link that will bring you to the press release.)<br /><br />Press releases are also good content for the web site, so I've created a press release section and added the press release. So far there is only one granite tile press release so it is the index page in the press folder. When a second press release is added this page will become an index page to all press releases. I'll tell you more about why I things this way in a future post.<br /><br />There is another reason why we want to have the Easy Granite Tile press release on the web site. I write several industrial blogs and it is frustrating to find a press release published by a press release service that has it copyrighted. I want to go to the originating web site and get a version of the press release I can copy and paste onto a blog. But they don't have it. Always make it EASY, very easy, for the press (and bloggers) to find versions of your press release they can copy and use. The best place to do that is by putting a copy of your press release on your web site.<br /><br />That's why Easy Granite Tile has the press release on their web site. Actually there's even more to it than this, but that's for a future blog post. For now let's leave it at using the press release to get more publicity for this new source of granite tile that, for the first time, makes custom edged--with precision machine edging--granite tile available for the home handyman.0http://internetresults.blogspot.com/2009/02/granite-tile-press-release.htmlGranite Tile Web Sitehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/marketing/~3/JVWZxDQ6rbw/granite-tile-web-site.htmleasy granite tilegranite tilegranite tile installationnoreply@blogger.com (SteveH)Sat, 07 Feb 2009 20:11:42 PSTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10442471.post-6268341106524503365The next step was to add a <a href="http://www.easygranitetile.com/tile-articles/index.html">granite tile installation</a> blog to the web site.<br /><br />Blogs are nice because the provide lot's a fresh, relevant content that Google likes to index. Plus they are easy for experts to use, even though they are not experts in the internet or blogging.<br /><br />In this case the blog is being written by the Granite Tile Guy and he is loaded with good tips for installing granite tile, as well as anything else related to granite tile. There is only one post as of today, but the goal is to add three granite tile relate posts each week... roughly one post every other day.<br /><br />Blog posts do not need to be long. I think it is best to have posts that vary in length. I don't know if it makes a difference, but I think Google assumes humans are not consistent and precise. So things with a bit of variability to them look more like they are human created. But I could be way out in left field on this.<br /><br />By the way, have you noticed what I'm doing in this post? This post is about blogs, but I'm working in the phrases "granite tile" and "granite tile installation." These are the two key phrases that we plan to build traffic going to the Easy Granite Tile web site.<br /><br />One other thing to notice. I don't use exactly the same tags on all these these granite related posts. For this post I've added a new tag called Granite Installation. Again, variety is important.0http://internetresults.blogspot.com/2009/02/granite-tile-web-site.htmlGranite Tile Glossaryhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/marketing/~3/BQHgpW1z-ws/granite-tile-glossary.htmleasy granite tilegranite tilenoreply@blogger.com (SteveH)Sat, 31 Jan 2009 21:59:27 PSTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10442471.post-1711454922830170444We added a couple of new pages to the Easy Granite Tile web site. When you are looking to add keywords, there is nothing better than a glossary. It is almost all keywords! So that was the next step. Here it is:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.easygranitetile.com/tile-glossary-1.html">Granite Tile Glossary</a><br /><br />I made the glossary in two pages. Although two pages is slightly inconvenient for the reader, and I generally go for the best experience for the visitor, but this web site has a desperate need for additional pages. The glossary is long enough to realistically divide it into two pages... so we did it. Possibly in the future, when the site is larger, we'll combine the two pages.<br /><br />If you need to learn about granite tile installation, the first step is to understand the language. The Easy Granite Tile glossary is the place to get started.0http://internetresults.blogspot.com/2009/01/granite-tile-glossary.htmlGranite Tile Counters For Kitchens And Bathshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/marketing/~3/VjpBqTuguIw/granite-tile-counters-for-kitchens-and.htmlbathroom countersgranite tilehome improvementkitchen countersnoreply@blogger.com (SteveH)Sat, 24 Jan 2009 08:58:30 PSTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10442471.post-2168406042516607211Here is a new business that has some very unique to sell. The provide <a href="http://www.easygranitetile.com/">granite tile for do-it-yourself installation</a>. What's so unique about that?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xSac0cddkyU/SXtHSsLwtOI/AAAAAAAAABM/tdLu61hLH5U/s1600-h/sm-island.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 125px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xSac0cddkyU/SXtHSsLwtOI/AAAAAAAAABM/tdLu61hLH5U/s320/sm-island.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294904173327856866" border="0" /></a>Until now it was not possible for a do-it-yourself installation of granite tile counters. The problem is the edges. Granite tile does not come with finished edges. That's because each installation is custom and that requires custom edging. There have been ways to self-edge granite tile, but getting good quality was difficult... let alone getting the outstanding quality that results in a beautiful, luxurious kitchen.<br /><br />The new business is called Easy Granite Tile. They have developed a online calculator for ordering custom tile for kitchens and bathrooms. You select your counter layout. Enter the dimensions of your counter, and the online calculator will show you how much tile you'll need, the amount and type of edging, and give you a price. You can then place your order and your granite tile will be delivered by Federal Express Freight.<br /><br />There is a lot of work to do on this web site so that people will see the value and quality they are getting. But I've seen the product myself, and it is outstanding. Plus what I really like is that the owners of the company have put quality and honesty at the top of their must-do list. <br /><br />Another thing I like about this new service is that a home handyman can install a granite tile counter and, not only will they enhance the beauty of their home, they'll be able to point to beautiful kitchen counters and say, "I did that."1http://internetresults.blogspot.com/2009/01/granite-tile-counters-for-kitchens-and.htmlSearch Marking Has Been Goodhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/marketing/~3/bOk_QiX5b8o/search-marking-has-been-good.htmlInternet MarketingWeb Marketingnoreply@blogger.com (SteveH)Sat, 24 Jan 2009 08:59:12 PSTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10442471.post-3590965408750349652It's been nearly a year since my last post. Why? Because business has been good and income has been high. In other words, I've been busy. Even now, while everyone else is slowing down I'm adding more clients and could be working 12-7 (12 hours a day, seven days a week) at $100/hour if I chose to do so. Two things have been happening...<br /><br />In these slow times people are recognizing the power of the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">internet</span> to increase sales, and even grow their businesses.<br /><br />Businesses have been getting web sites online, and upgrading existing web sites--creating some beautiful web sites... that don't perform. There's a lot of web activity, but the results are not so good.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Why?</span><br /><br />Because there are a lot of people who know graphics and how to put a web site together, but they don't know marketing. A beautiful web site that no one sees is a waste of money. A web site that tens of thousands see, but which does not convert visitors, is a waste of money.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">It's not about having a good looking web site. It's about having a web site that brings in the sales!</span><br /><br />So why am I writing a post? I'll be very blunt... because it's an easy way to get a link for my clients. I had forgotten about this blog. But as I was thinking about links last night it occurred to me that I was wasting an easy way to provide a link... my own blog. So, whenever I feel like it I'll make a post about one of my clients. I'll try to post about each web site early in the marketing process. In most cases business come to me with web sites that have been designed by others and they want me to save their web site. So you'll be able see each web site change as I work with it to change it from something that just occupies space on a hosting server, to a web site that builds a business.1http://internetresults.blogspot.com/2009/01/search-marking-has-been-good.html7 Customer Service Tipshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/marketing/~3/UMRZuqqNDG0/7-customer-service-tips.htmlCustomer Servicenoreply@blogger.com (SteveH)Fri, 15 Feb 2008 08:32:41 PSTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10442471.post-7192984447779331587Today's edition of the American Chronicle has an article by Robert Moment called "<a href="http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/52367">Customer Service Tips to Keep Your Customers Satisfied</a>". The article opens by stating:<br /><br />"Customers shop in order to satisfy something: a need or a desire. Therefore, it follows that your goal must be to keep your customers satisfied. However, don´t make the common mistake in assuming that it is only the product or service that you are selling that will provide the satisfaction that the customer is seeking."<br /><br />"In actuality, the need or desire that customers are seeking to fill include much more than the product in itself. It also includes a sensation that they will be treated well, that they will be served professionally by a knowledgeable staff, and that if they should run into a problem, it will be managed quickly and effectively. Just as it seems, there is a lot involved in accomplishing this task. However, when it is done correctly, your business will run like a well oiled machine, and will be well worth the effort in its rewards."<br /><br />It then lists seven tips for keeping your customers satisfied.<br /><br />1. Keep your promises<br />2. Set Good Goals<br />3. Go Above And Beyond<br />4. Pay Attention to Customer Needs<br />5. Nurture Long-Term Employees<br />6. Make Customers Feel Wanted<br />7. Nitpick About Customers For Life1http://internetresults.blogspot.com/2008/02/7-customer-service-tips.htmlOver 1 Million Potential Victims of Botnet Cyber Crimehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/marketing/~3/EcL9Yff3Mhs/over-1-million-potential-victims-of.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SteveH)Fri, 30 Nov 2007 06:57:01 PSTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10442471.post-4267846616059408426The Department of Justice and FBI announced the results of an ongoing cyber crime initiative to disrupt and dismantle “botherders” and elevate the public’s cyber security awareness of botnets. OPERATION BOT ROAST is a national initiative and ongoing investigations have identified over 1 million victim computer IP addresses. The FBI is working with our industry partners, including the CERT Coordination Center at Carnegie Mellon University, to notify the victim owners of the computers. Through this process the FBI may uncover additional incidents in which botnets have been used to facilitate other criminal activity.<br /><br />A botnet is a collection of compromised computers under the remote command and control of a criminal “botherder.” Most owners of the compromised computers are unknowing and unwitting victims. They have unintentionally allowed unauthorized access and use of their computers as a vehicle to facilitate other crimes, such as identity theft, denial of service attacks, phishing, click fraud, and the mass distribution of spam and spyware. Because of their widely distributed capabilities, botnets are a growing threat to national security, the national information infrastructure, and the economy.<br /><br />“The majority of victims are not even aware that their computer has been compromised or their personal information exploited,” said FBI Assistant Director for the Cyber Division James Finch. “An attacker gains control by infecting the computer with a virus or other malicious code and the computer continues to operate normally. Citizens can protect themselves from botnets and the associated schemes by practicing strong computer security habits to reduce the risk that your computer will be compromised.”<br /><br />The FBI also wants to thank our industry partners, such as the Microsoft Corporation and the Botnet Task Force, in referring criminal botnet activity to law enforcement.<br /><br />Cyber security tips include updating anti‑virus software, installing a firewall, using strong passwords, practicing good email and web security practices. Although this will not necessarily identify or remove a botnet currently on the system, this can help to prevent future botnet attacks. More information on botnets and tips for cyber crime prevention can be found online at www.fbi.gov.<br /><br />The FBI will not contact you online and request your personal information so be wary of fraud schemes that request this type of information, especially via unsolicited emails. To report fraudulent activity or financial scams, contact the nearest FBI office or police department, and file a complaint online with the Internet Crime Complaint Center, www.ic3.gov.<br /><br />To date, the following subjects have been charged or arrested in this operation with computer fraud and abuse in violation of Title 18 USC 1030, including:<br /><br /> * James C. Brewer of Arlington, Texas, is alleged to have operated a botnet that infected Chicago area hospitals. This botnet infected tens of thousands of computers worldwide. (FBI Chicago);<br /><br /> * Jason Michael Downey of Covington, Kentucky, is charged with an Information with using botnets to send a high volume of traffic to intended recipients to cause damage by impairing the availability of such systems. (FBI Detroit); and<br /><br /> * Robert Alan Soloway of Seattle, Washington, is alleged to have used a large botnet network and spammed tens of millions of unsolicited email messages to advertise his website from which he offered services and products. (FBI Seattle)<br /><br />The FBI will continue to aggressively investigate individuals that conduct cyber criminal acts.0http://internetresults.blogspot.com/2007/11/over-1-million-potential-victims-of.htmlHow Would You Market MOST The Movie?http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/marketing/~3/qTEl_Q45Q0M/how-would-you-market-most-movie.htmlSEMnoreply@blogger.com (SteveH)Fri, 09 Nov 2007 17:04:32 PSTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10442471.post-8027536178624212700This has been a tough question. Start with an outstanding film no one knows about. Mix in a film producer that knows little about internt marketing. They need to sell copies of the DVD, but...<br /><br />The film is called "<a href="http://www.missiontoamerica.org/most/index.php">Most the Movie</a>". It is a 33 minute short film that tells about a bridgetender whose son falls into the gears that lower the bridge. The train is coming! What should the bridgetender do? He can only do one thing. Either save his son or save the train.<br /><br />The site I've linked above is a non-profit that offers the film at a reduced price. They are the ones who would like to make the film more widely known. They even give away copies.<br /><br />So here are a few suggestions:<br /><ul> <li>Improve your search ranking by making useful comments on blogs that are talking about evangelism. Not all blogs allow links, and services such as Blogger put a "nofollow" on comment links, but this a good way to generate some buzz. Also, some forum posts wouldn't hurt, although links in forums don't provide any search ranking boost.<br /> <br /> </li> <li>Increase the content you have about the film on your web site. Surely there is more you can say that will create additional keyword rich spider food.<br /> <br /> </li> <li>Look for champions who are willing to use their blog or web site to promote the film. This film is of such high quality, and is so good, it should be possible to find some people who would want to champion it.<br /> <br /> </li> <li>How about putting out a press release. In this case I'd guess the press release will rank much higher than the web site. That could pull in additional traffic and generate a few links.<br /> <br /> </li> <li>Be creative. MOST the Movie is an outstanding film. Get the publicity going and it may start generating buzz just based on its quality.<br /> </li> </ul>0http://internetresults.blogspot.com/2007/11/how-would-you-market-most-movie.htmlWeb Site Restored From Google Banhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/marketing/~3/a3zgx1axRbQ/web-site-restored-from-google-ban.htmlbannedgooglenoreply@blogger.com (SteveH)Thu, 28 Jun 2007 18:31:17 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10442471.post-1658831104909040560In March I wrote about one of my web sites that had been <a href="http://internetresults.blogspot.com/2007/03/easy-way-to-get-banned-from-google.html">banned from Google</a> (<a href="http://www.911christ.com/">911christ.com</a>) . Last week I noticed that it was showing up at #3 in Google's search results. It had been restored.<br /><br />I use a service called Google Alerts to monitor important keywords. Last week I received a Google Alert that informed me the banned web site was now showing up in Google's search results.<br /><br />What did I do to get this site unbanned? Not much. Only what I described in my <a href="http://internetresults.blogspot.com/2007/03/easy-way-to-get-banned-from-google.html">previous post</a>. Using the information in Google Webmaster Tools I had noticed the site was banned. I was also able to determine the most likely cause. I wrote to Google, using the form provided in Webmaster Tools... and then I applied patience.<br /><br />For three months I did nothing concerning this issue. I did not write to Google again. I did not change anything on the web site. I mostly forgot about this site, other than doing the things I'd normally do. For example, I added some Russian language graphics.<br /><br />It appears that it takes Google about three months to review and act on a re-inclusion request.0http://internetresults.blogspot.com/2007/06/web-site-restored-from-google-ban.htmlAn Easy Way To Get Banned From Googlehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/marketing/~3/HOrCEKnRlVI/easy-way-to-get-banned-from-google.htmlbannedgooglenoreply@blogger.com (SteveH)Tue, 27 Mar 2007 08:20:48 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10442471.post-1327442639143052285I regularly use the <a href="http://www.google.com/webmasters/">Google Webmaster Tools</a>. The information they provide is invaluable.<br /><br />Yesterday I was surprised to see that one of the web sites I manage was listed as being banned by Google! What was going on? I never use black hat SEO. Not only that, the <a href="http://www.911christ.com/">banned site</a> is a very simple web site with essentially no SEO. Why did Google ban such an innocent web site?<br /><br />A deeper look into the information provided by Google Site Maps revealed the problem.<br /><br />Going to "Page analysis" under the Statistics Tab revealed that the content Google was seeing was all mortgage and travel related. However, all of the links were Bible related (this is a Christian web site.) Google had determined that there was a significant difference between what Googlebot was seeing and what visitors saw. This is a major violation of Google’s rules and had resulted in the site being banned.<br /><br />The problem was, I had never put mortgage or travel information on this web site. The web site had been online for about eight months, and it had had Christian content from day one… or did it?<br /><br />When the domain was registered we were not sure what it would be used for, so the domain was parked at SEDO. This is a service that puts ads on parked domains and splits the income with the domain owners. I have no doubt that many of those ads were travel and mortgage related. But why was Google picking up the SEDO content as being the current content of the web site eight months after unique content had been developed for this site?<br /><br />When the content for this site was ready we uploaded it to our hosting provider and set up their DNS records to point to the new web site. The result is that browsing to <a href="http://www.911christ.com/">www.911christ.com</a> brings you to the correct web site. However, Google does not look up web sites the same way a browser does. Google remembers the IP address. Google had used the IP address for SEDO; found a SEDO DNS reference for the web site (I had neglected to delete this web site from SEDO); and read the SEDO content. The result is that Google was seeing different content than visitors see and the site was banned.<br /><br />I have submitted a reinclusion request through Google’s Webmaster Tools and, of course, deleted this web site from SEDO. So now we’ll see how the reinclusion process goes.0http://internetresults.blogspot.com/2007/03/easy-way-to-get-banned-from-google.htmlGoogle and Duplicate Contenthttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/marketing/~3/MvZLaRgT614/google-and-duplicate-content.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SteveH)Thu, 21 Dec 2006 15:21:09 PSTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10442471.post-116674326962454530One of the biggest issues for web designers and SEO professions is that of duplicate content. What is duplicate content? Will it get your web site banned? Will it get your web site penalized?<br /><br />The <a href="http://googlewebmastercentral.blogspot.com/">Official Google Webmaster Central Blog</a> has posted much needed information about duplicate content. Adam Lasnik answers the following questions:<br /><br />What is duplicate content?<br /><br />What <span style="font-style: italic;">isn't</span> duplicate content?<br /><br />Why does Google care about duplicate content?<br /><br />What does Google do about it?<br /><br />How can Webmasters proactively address duplicate content issues?<br /><br />The answers to this last question are particularly useful. Lasnik lists specific things web designers can do to address duplicate content, such as:<br /><br />+ Use 301s permanent redirects.<br /><br />+ Keep internal linking consistent, don't link to /page/ and /page and /page/index.htm.<br /><br />+ If you syndicate your content on other sites, make sure they include a link back to the original article on each syndicated article. <br /><br />+ Use the preferred domain feature of Google's webmaster tools. This allows you to tell Google whether they should link to www.yourdomain.com or yourdomain.com. otherwise Google might link to each individually and see the same page as being a duplicate of itself.<br /><br />+ Minimize boilerplate repetition. If, for example, you must put a disclaimer at the bottom of each page, just include a short summary with a link to a separate page that has the complete disclaimer.<br /><br />Plus five other suggestions. This is a blog post all web designers, SEOs, or anyone involved with web design should read, and have bookmarked.4http://internetresults.blogspot.com/2006/12/google-and-duplicate-content.htmlDo It Yourself SEOhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/marketing/~3/00cS14uE7b4/do-it-yourself-seo.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SteveH)Fri, 08 Dec 2006 10:01:34 PSTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10442471.post-116560089412849099Have you been reading about the importance of the internet and search engine optimization in various trade publications? Do you feel your web site could use some work to improve its position in search results? But you don't have the cash to spend on a search engine expert???<br /><br />Before you try to do SEO (Search Engine Optimization) yourself, I have some suggested reading for you. Ross Dunn has updated his Ten Minute Search optimization white paper. I highly recommend reading it before you attempt to do SEO on your web site. In particular focus on the things not to do, such as item #3. You'll be wasting your time if you spiff up your site, only to make common mistakes that will get it penalized, or worse yet... banned from Google. Once you have the DO NOT things firmly fixed in your mind, then start on making the changes that will improve your search visibility.<br /><br />You'll find the Ten Minute Optimization paper at: <a href="http://www.searchengineguide.com/dunn/2006/1130_rd1.html">http://www.searchengineguide.com/dunn/2006/1130_rd1.html</a>2http://internetresults.blogspot.com/2006/12/do-it-yourself-seo.htmlCounting Backlinkshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/marketing/~3/LcQy5LhVcwk/counting-backlinks.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SteveH)Thu, 07 Dec 2006 08:07:48 PSTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10442471.post-116550766806613202Enter the following in the search box of any search engine to see the backlinks for any web site. Of course, replace "www.yoursite.com" with the appropriate URL.<br /><br />MSN<br />link:http://www.yoursite.com<br /><br />Google:<br />link:http://www.yoursite.com<br /><br />Yahoo:<br />Yahoo now has a separate "search engine" for learning what information they have in their index about a specific site. It is called Site Explorer. Go to Site Explorer at the URL below and enter the URL for the web site in the search box. When the results page appears, click on the "In Links" link.<br /><br />http://siteexplorer.search.yahoo.com/<br /><br />Yahoo's help page says this about Site Explorer:<br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">" You can use Site Explorer to track the coverage and freshness of your site in the Yahoo! Search index. You can find out: </span><ul style="font-family: arial;"><li>Which pages from your site are indexed by Yahoo! . </li><li>What links exist to your site's web pages.</li></ul><span style="font-family: arial;"> If you "authenticate" a site by validating your access to a site, you can access more detailed information like: </span><ul style="font-family: arial;"><li>What subdomains from your site are known to Yahoo! </li><li>What other information Yahoo! detects about your site, such as language."</li></ul>0http://internetresults.blogspot.com/2006/12/counting-backlinks.htmlGoogle Search For Your Sitehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/marketing/~3/CS8HzmO4ZEQ/google-search-for-your-site.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SteveH)Tue, 24 Oct 2006 09:30:23 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10442471.post-116170742363216031In the past it has been possible to add Google search to your web site, but Google has now made it a much more powerful tool. You'll find information and the signup at: <a href="http://www.google.com/coop/cse/">http://www.google.com/coop/cse/</a><br /><br />Google describes this new search tool as providing:<br /><ul style="line-height: 16px;"><li>Specify the sites you want to include in searches. </li><li>Place a search box and search results on your website.</li><li>Customize the look and feel to match your website.</li><li>Invite your community to contribute to the search engine.</li><li>Make money from relevant ads in your search results. </li></ul>0http://internetresults.blogspot.com/2006/10/google-search-for-your-site.html